Democratic Republic of the Congo
In 2006, armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have caused several displacements of population in the East (Ituri, Kivu, Katanga). Hence, the monthly average of displaced persons assisted by the rapid response mechanism was 88 000 persons during the first semester 2006. An essential goal is to provide assistance in the access to essential primary health care allowing returnees and their receiving communities to return step by step to a normal life while ensuring the provision of adequate means of subsistence.
The main public health problems are malaria, acute respiratory infections (including tuberculosis), diarrhoeal diseases (including cholera) and pregnancy-related complications. Disease control thus remains a major priority. Child mortality is at least 126 deaths per 1000 live births, with malaria being the cause of 45% of child deaths. The mortality rate in the East continues to be above acceptable levels, with a maternal mortality rate of 1800 deaths per 100 000 live births. The HIV/AIDS incidence is estimated at the relatively high level of 4.2%. Beside the displacement of persons, there are also factors like the high level of poverty and the environmental conditions which increase the risk of illness. The immunization coverage level is also very low with, for example, only 40% of the children being vaccinated against measles.